Porto Aquarium Full-Day Entry Tickets

The aquarium at Castelo do Queijo

Porto's public aquarium stands on the Atlantic seafront at Castelo do Queijo, at the point where the elegant Foz do Douro promenade meets the long beaches of Matosinhos. Its themed zones follow the journey of water from rivers and rock pools to the open ocean, presenting the marine life of the Atlantic and of tropical reefs in a compact, easy-to-follow route.

The aquarium is known for its large collection of cow-nosed rays, one of the biggest in Portugal, alongside eagle rays, clown triggerfish, longhorn cowfish, pipefish and green sea turtles. Information panels and an English booklet explain each species, and conservation messages about plastic pollution and overfishing run through the whole visit, making it as educational as it is fun.

The shark tunnel, penguins and feeding talks

The highlight is the underwater tunnel, the first of its kind built in Portugal. As you walk through the transparent passage, blacktip reef sharks, rays and shoals of fish swim above and around you, and children love watching the rays glide just centimetres from their heads.

Further on, the penguin area brings a lively colony of small birds diving and waddling on their rocky ledges, while the rock-pool zone lets visitors look closely at starfish, crabs and anemones. Throughout the day the team gives free informative talks and feeding demonstrations; check the schedule at the entrance so that you can plan your route and be at the tanks at feeding time.

Opening hours, tickets and how to plan your visit

The aquarium opens daily, usually from mid-morning, and most visitors spend about two hours inside. Opening hours vary with the season, so check the times when we confirm your booking. Your ticket is valid for the whole day and allows re-entry, which is ideal if you want to break the visit with a walk on the beach or lunch on the promenade.

Outside food and drinks are not allowed inside, but the on-site café has a balcony with views over the Atlantic. Flash photography is not permitted to protect the animals. The building is wheelchair accessible, and weekday mornings outside school holidays are usually the quietest time to visit. Is the Porto aquarium worth visiting? For families and anyone curious about marine life, it is one of the best indoor attractions in the city.

Castelo do Queijo, Foz and the beaches nearby

Right next to the aquarium stands the Castelo do Queijo, a small 17th-century granite fort built on a rock by the sea to defend the coast. Its name, literally the Cheese Castle, comes from the rounded shape of the rock beneath it, and its walls offer lovely views along the shore.

From here you can stroll south along the promenade of Foz do Douro towards the lighthouse and the river mouth, or north to the wide sandy beach of Matosinhos, famous for its grilled-fish restaurants. Parque da Cidade, the largest urban park in Portugal, lies just behind the seafront. How to get to the aquarium: city buses and taxis from central Porto reach Castelo do Queijo in about 20 to 30 minutes.